QUETTA: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has announced the formation of a new maritime unit, named the “Hammal Maritime Defence Force” (HMDF) and claimed responsibility for what it described as its first naval attack.
In a statement issued to the media, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the group had established the unit to defend what it called Baloch maritime interests. He stated that the force carried out its first operation on April 12, 2026, targeting a Pakistani Navy patrol boat near the “Mil Tiab” area of Jiwani, in the coastal region of Gwadar.
According to the statement, the attack took place at approximately 10:00 a.m., during which fighters opened fire on the vessel. The group claimed that three naval personnel Naik Afzal, Sepoy Jamil and Sepoy Umar were killed in the incident. It further stated that its fighters safely withdrew following the operation.
The spokesperson described the establishment of the HMDF as a “strategic development,” asserting that the group’s operations would now extend beyond land into maritime areas. He claimed the move was aimed at countering what the group described as the exploitation of Baloch coastal resources and increased military presence along the coastline.
The BLA also stated that the new unit has been named after Hammal Jiand Baloch, a historical figure associated with resistance against Portuguese forces in the 16th century, describing him as a symbol of maritime resistance.
The group warned that its operational scope now includes maritime targets, claiming it has the capability to target naval assets and installations.
